A Step Towards Preventing Suicide: Become A ‘Peer For Prevention’

Suicide has always been a familiar term, hasn’t it? Ranging from glaring headlines in varied newspapers to an eye-catching news piece on news channels, it has been described as “breaking news” which always interests people. Sadly, as time passes, the situation is overlooked or overshadowed by inconsequential matters our nation and its population has to deal with.

Leading to a huge gap between what people understand or have knowledge of this mental health crisis, and what actual understanding underlays: suicide is an extreme form of the mental health crisis. It leaves a fresh wound, an untreated wound, to be precise, which leads to more damage.

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The problem stands still, hanging between the sensitivity involved and suppression of the phenomenon making people curious yet scared of the term: Suicide, often overwhelming us with judgments, non-acceptance, and sympathy.

The alarming question which arises essentially is what goes through the mind of the person when they take this decision, that ending their life is the only solution to the problem? What thoughts captivate them? What feelings do they experience?

To understand the same, let me take you through an enlightening journey of what really suicide as a mental health crisis is, and how can we, as individuals, become a ‘Peer for Prevention’ and build a mental health community.

What Is Suicide?

Suicide is a Latin word which means the deliberate act of killing oneself, where ‘sui’ means ‘oneself’ and ‘cide’ refers to killing oneself. Thus, the term reflects that suicide is an act committed to ending one’s life.

The underlying intention of someone taking away their own life is not because they, here, at that point in time, feel that they are content with the process of their life and their wishes have been fulfilled; so there’s no point in living any further. The person commits this act because they aren’t finding themself in control of their cognitive faculty and are much0-affected by the trauma.

This form of extreme action is, or can be, considered as a result of internal deliberations or failed attempts of expression to the society about the emotional or mental pain.

Some important facts to know about suicide:

People who experience suicidal thoughts and feelings are suffering from tremendous emotional pain.

People who have died by suicide typically had overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, despair, and helplessness.

Suicide is not about a moral weakness or a character flaw.

People considering suicide feel as though their pain will never end and that suicide is the only way to stop the suffering.

Crisis Analysis (India)

India accounts for a share of almost 2 lakh reported deaths by suicide of the global total of 8 lakh deaths by suicide per year.

With this number significantly rising each year, especially in the age group of 15-29 years. (Data released recently by the online journal Lancet Public Health, as part of its Global Burden of Disease Study: 1990 to 2016.) Moreover, “India has been claimed as the most depressed country“and had been reported to have a significant percentage (75%) of the total population to be suffering from depression.

Depression being one of the leading causes of suicide, along with an issue of lack of awareness, unethical information, fraudulent babas or self-help guides or gurus disseminating wrongful information among people, is a concern that demands attention. And we need to make an action plan for its prevention and cure.

What Are The major ‘Risk Factors’ involved?

“Every year, 200 000 people intentionally take their own lives in the Western Pacific Region, accounting for 25% of global suicides. Over 75% of all suicides in the region occur in low- and middle-income countries. Risk factors contributing to suicidal thought or behavior include previous suicide attempts, harmful use of alcohol and mental disorders.”

The reasons overdue the individual to attempt or commit suicide can be far-ranging but it could be broadly categorized into four major categories: physical and mental health conditions, history of trauma, psycho-social factors and role of media. Some of them are listed below (Source: WHO):

Abuse of alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and other drugs such that it causes disturbance to the person and the people around them

Academic and peer pressure, due to expectations set by family, teachers, self, etc.

Work and finance-related stress, such as unable to keep professional commitments, workplace harassment or abuse, financial responsibilities and burdens

Lack of interest and motivation in the chosen field

Unexpected job loss, etc.

Complications due to a medical procedure

Being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness; an illness which has led to permanent disability

Family history of suicide, i.e., if someone in a person’s family (or close friends circle) has committed suicide, there can be a strong hereditary factor

If a person has attempted to kill themselves previously and has been unsuccessful or prevented from family or friends, he or she can again attempt to commit suicide.

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What Are The Possible Warning Signs Of ‘Suicide’?

The signs and symptoms marking the intention of someone either planning or implementing suicide are much observable in more than one way. Here is a presentation of possible warning signs divided over three categories of talk, mood, and behaviour which as a close one or a peer you can notice to help the person through the first step and further encourage professional help to save a life.

Behaviour: Behaviours that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change:

1.Increased use of alcohol or drugs; 2. Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods; 3. Withdrawing from activities and isolating from family and friends; 4. Sleeping too much or too little; 5. Visiting or calling people to say goodbye; 6. Giving away prized possessions; 7. Aggression; 8.Fatigue.

A Step towards Prevention of Suicide: Become A Peer For Prevention

Yes, prevention is possible and it’s possible through you. You can save a life by following this step-to-step guide presented as a part of “Mental Health First Aid for Prevention of Suicide.”

Become a responsible human and encourage two-way communication with the individual. This can be done by:

Be respectful and acknowledge the person’s feelings

Ask the person in a direct manner if they have been having suicidal thoughts

Don’t make outright judgments, listen to understand the ‘issues’ concerning the individual. This could be achieved by:

Avoiding being harsh or judging the person for having suicidal ideas

Avoiding giving them advice about what to change in their lives or thoughts, unless they ask for the same

Avoid making attempts to make them feel better

Give them assurance and generate hope in them. This can be done in the following manner:

Instill hope that their problems can be addressed in a constructive manner with a mental health professional or a supportive family member and coping skills can be strengthened

You can be supportive and help them acknowledge how difficult their current state is for them.

Make them comfortable with the idea of seeking help and encourage their reformation through positive reinforcements. Also, make mandatory follow-ups.

Referring the person to a mental health professional at the earliest, especially if an intent to harm the self is strong, or has already been attempted is crucial

Once treatment is started, continuity in treatment is important till the person feels healthy and stable again in their life, because if a person has shown suicidal behaviour, it often makes them vulnerable to attempting these again unless its underlying causes are dealt with.